The correlation between serum anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug levels and the drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether anti-TB DIH is associated with basal serum drug levels. Serum peak levels of isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RMP), pyrazinamide (PZA), and ethambutol (EMB) were analyzed in blood samples 2 hr after the administration of anti-TB medication. Anti-TB DIH and mild liver function test abnormality were diagnosed on the basis of laboratory and clinical criteria. Serum anti-TB drug levels and other clinical factors were compared between the hepatotoxicity and non-hepatotoxicity groups. A total of 195 TB patients were included in the study, and the data were analyzed retrospectively. Seventeen (8.7%) of the 195 patients showed hepatotoxicity, and the mean aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase levels in the hepatotoxicity group were 249/249 IU/L, respectively. Among the 17 patients with hepatotoxicity, 12 showed anti-TB DIH. Ten patients showed PZA-related hepatotoxicity and 2 showed INH- or RMP-related hepatotoxicity. However, intergroup differences in the serum levels of the 4 anti-TB drugs were not statistically significant. Basal serum drug concentration was not associated with the risk anti-TB DIH in patients being treated with the currently recommended doses of first-line anti-TB treatment drugs.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Antitubercular Agents/adverse effects/*blood/therapeutic use ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/*blood ; Ethambutol/adverse effects/blood/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Isoniazid/adverse effects/blood/therapeutic use ; Liver/*pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrazinamide/adverse effects/blood/therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Rifampin/adverse effects/blood/therapeutic use ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy ; Young Adult

The correlation between serum anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug levels and the drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether anti-TB DIH is associated with basal serum drug levels. Serum peak levels of isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RMP), pyrazinamide (PZA), and ethambutol (EMB) were analyzed in blood samples 2 hr after the administration of anti-TB medication. Anti-TB DIH and mild liver function test abnormality were diagnosed on the basis of laboratory and clinical criteria. Serum anti-TB drug levels and other clinical factors were compared between the hepatotoxicity and non-hepatotoxicity groups. A total of 195 TB patients were included in the study, and the data were analyzed retrospectively. Seventeen (8.7%) of the 195 patients showed hepatotoxicity, and the mean aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase levels in the hepatotoxicity group were 249/249 IU/L, respectively. Among the 17 patients with hepatotoxicity, 12 showed anti-TB DIH. Ten patients showed PZA-related hepatotoxicity and 2 showed INH- or RMP-related hepatotoxicity. However, intergroup differences in the serum levels of the 4 anti-TB drugs were not statistically significant. Basal serum drug concentration was not associated with the risk anti-TB DIH in patients being treated with the currently recommended doses of first-line anti-TB treatment drugs.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Antitubercular Agents/adverse effects/*blood/therapeutic use ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/*blood ; Ethambutol/adverse effects/blood/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Isoniazid/adverse effects/blood/therapeutic use ; Liver/*pathology ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrazinamide/adverse effects/blood/therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Rifampin/adverse effects/blood/therapeutic use ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy ; Young Adult

Eleven cases of human brucellosis occurred among livestock workers and a veterinarian who lived and worked in a rural area around Jeongeup City, Jeollabuk-Do, Korea from February 2003 to August 2003. Eight of the patients had taken care of Korean native cattle that were infected with bovine brucellosis and had already been slaughtered. Two of the patients had taken care of dairy cattle, and one case was a veterinarian who acquired the disease through an accidental contact with infected cattle while assisting in calf delivery. Eleven cases were identified by serologic work ups and four cases were identified via positive blood cultures. This study shows that the Republic of Korea is no longer free of human brucellosis, Brucella abortus biotype 1. We reviewed the patients' characteristics and serologic data during the oneyear follow up period, and we also discuss on the efficacy and side effects of the rifampin and doxycyline regimen used for the treatment of human brucellosis.
Adult ; Animal Husbandry ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood ; Base Sequence ; Brucella abortus/genetics/immunology/isolation and purification ; Brucellosis/drug therapy/*epidemiology/microbiology/transmission ; Brucellosis, Bovine/transmission ; Cattle ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Disease Outbreaks ; Doxycycline/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases/drug therapy/epidemiology/immunology/microbiology ; Rifampin/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Veterinarians